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Television time see truffles trending

Manjimup Truffles production manager Ben Blakers says high rating television cooking programs have made truffles more popular with the general public.

Bridget Fitzgerald

The truffle season is off to a strong start and a Western Australian producer says growers can thank have television cooking programs.

WA company Manjimup Truffles, located in the state's south-west, delivered its first haul to Perth last week.

The season started later than usual due to the long summer.

Manjimup Truffles production manager Ben Blakers says truffles are in high demand, both domestically and internationally.

He says television cooking programs have boosted the profile of the high-priced fungus.

This season truffles are retailing for approximately $1,400 a kilogram.

Mr Blakers says he and other truffle growers generally supply elite restaurants, but there has been an increase in the amount sold through farmers' markets as people are seeking to use truffles in home cooking.

“A lot of people get excited about it and want to try it for themselves."

Manjimup will host food and wine festival Truffle Kerfuffle from June 27-29 to celebrate the local industry.